Sony debuts Xplod MEX-1GP car radio with 1GB flash memory and MP3 support

Sony today presented a new car radio with 1GB of flash memory and a USB port to transmit music from your PC to your car stereo. The Xplod MEX-1GP features AM/FM radio, a CD player and MP3/WMA support.

The USB port is engineered into the faceplate and when the faceplate is removed from the receiver and connected to a Windows enabled PC, it is recognized as an external drive.

The Xplod MEX-1GP (Giga Panel) model also supports playback of CD-R/RW discs, including those recorded with content purchased from Sony's CONNECT online music store. Due to the unique ATRAC3/3plus playback capability of this receiver, it can play compressed music files burned onto a CD.

The new receiver is finished in high-gloss black with a 13-segment LCD display for simple navigation of track and title information. The screen displays album, artist and track name when playing downloaded music files. Users can shuffle or repeat tracks, albums or personalized groups through controls on the faceplate or with the supplied remote control.

The MEX-1GP unit has a built-in 208-watt power amplifier and a three-band equalizer enabling clear, rich sound. The selectable rear/subwoofer preamp outputs, controls the frequency and output level of an external amplifier. It comes supplied with a wireless remote control and will be available in February 2006 for about $350.